Spot Market Reefer Rates Continue Increasing; Vans, Flatbeds Unchanged
The freight matching service provider DAT reports the total number of loads available increased 7.5% May 11 through May 17 compared to the previous seven days, while truck capacity grew 1.5%.


The amount of freight available on the spot market has jumped but rates have moved barely higher, if at all for some cargo.
The freight matching service provider DAT reports the total number of loads available increased 7.5% May 11 through May 17, compared to the previous seven days, while truck capacity grew 1.5%.
This led to average rates for van and flatbeds being unchanged from the week before, at $1.96 and $2.35 per mile, respectively. Flatbeds are holding at their April average, which is 2.2% higher than from March.
Reefer rates increased an average of 0.9% during the same time to $2.31 per mile, its best showing out of the last four weeks, as demand for shipping produce continues growing.
This happened as the van-to-truck ratio for reefers gained the most of the three sectors, picking up 16%, while the ratio increased 13% for vans. It fell 5.9% for flatbeds.
Writing early this month in the DAT Freight Talk Blog, Analyst Mark Montague noted reefer rates in Florida have been soaring due to so much produce being available, while van freight there is “equally plentiful.”
More Fleet Management

Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall
After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.
Read More →
AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!
Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group is going to auction! Bid on a 37.5% ownership interest in this Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operating across California, Oregon, and Arizona. The equity interest will be sold to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code at 10:00 a.m. PDT.
Read More →
Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities
The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.
Read More →How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI
How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.
Read More →
Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]
Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.
Read More →
NMFTA Launches Free, Anonymous Cybersecurity Threat Report Portal
Organizations are encouraged to anonymously report freight fraud, cargo crime, and cyber threats while gaining visibility into incidents reported across the transportation sector.
Read More →
AI Can Optimize a Fleet. Can It Replace Human Judgment?
Fleets fear falling behind if they don’t adopt AI quickly enough. They also fear what happens if the technology makes the wrong decision.
Read More →
Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Running a Small Fleet in an Uncertain Economy
Small fleet owner Jamie Hagen says new legal risks, volatile fuel prices, and a changing freight market are forcing small carriers to rethink how they operate — and what they can afford.
Read More →Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Freight, Fuel Prices, Safety, and Small-Fleet Survival
Running a small trucking fleet right now isn’t easy, especially right now. And Jamie Hagen doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Read More →Jamie Hagen Gets Real About Freight, Fuel Prices, Safety, and Small-Fleet Survival
Running a small trucking fleet right now isn’t easy, especially right now. And Jamie Hagen doesn’t sugarcoat it.
Read More →

